Morocco’s King Mohammed VI arrived in Moscow on Monday for a four-day official visit during which he will discuss a wide-range of bilateral and international issues, especially Iraq, Russian media reported.

Mohammed VI is due to meet President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, later meeting the speakers of both houses of parliament and the head of the Russian Orthodox patriarch Alexy II, the Interfax news agency said, quoting Kremlin officials, according to AFP.

Talks are expected to deal with the Middle East and Iraq, but also on the prospects for bilateral relations, particularly in trade and economic cooperation, Interfax said.

Moroccan officials in Rabat said that issues under discussion could include the status of the disputed Western Sahara territory, annexed by Morocco in 1975 but claimed by the Polisario Front independence movement, which is backed by Algeria.

In addition, a series of agreements is expected to be signed. The Monarch is accompanied on the trip by Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa who will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov.

The two ministers are expected to exchange views on the Middle East and the Iraqi situation, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. (Albawaba.com)